2018 WCQ: J.E. Sarpong Fingers Maxwell Konadu

Popular Ghanaian Coach, J.E Sarpong, has blamed the assistant coach of the Black Stars, Maxwell Konadu, for not being bold in decision making, after the Black Stars’ stalemate with the Cranes of Uganda in a 2018 World Cup qualifier opener last Friday.

Many football enthusiasts have questioned the technical direction of the Black Stars under head coach, Avram Grant.

Sarpong, a former Ebusua Dwarfs coach, considers Konadu to be the problem. He claims the assistant coach is not helping Grant with his purported inability to offer bold tactical recommendation.

“I am telling Maxwell Konadu, this is your country, put your feet down and recommend tactical ideas that would aid the Black Stars. He should be able to tell Grant when he is getting things wrong when it matters.”

Sarpong went on to express his frustration over the two players(Emmanuel Ocran and Inusah Fuseni) who were invited to the Black Stars camp for ‘observation’ as he thinks Konadu could have done a better job in monitoring local players who deserved outright call-ups.

2018 WCQ: J.E. Sarpong Fingers Maxwell Konadu

We Are Ready For Berekum Chelsea Game – Coach Keni

Accra Hearts of Oak coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said his side is ready for their next Ghana Premier League (GPL) game as they seek to get back to winning ways after losing their last league fixture.

The Phobians will travel to the Brong Ahafo region to face the might of Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park and Coach Keni said they will rise up to the challenge.

He has overseen the team’s training this week to the Legon Ajax Park in preparation for this encounter and hopes it will reflect in their play on Sunday.

“Training has been very good and the players have made a very good effort,” he said, adding that “we will definitely are ready for the game”.

The Phobians will be out to defend their unbeaten away record in the league this season, and, most importantly, restore confidence to the side after their painful loss to Kotoko last Monday.

“Our away form has been good and we hope to continue with that in this game,” Coach Keni said, insisting that they are not under pressure to perform going into this game after losing to their bitter rivals.

“Our players are mentally ready and focused to beat Chelsea. Every game we play, either home or away, we are going in for three points and we will do our best,” the Japanese-American said.

The Phobians will depart Accra to Berekum on Saturday morning for Sunday’s game against a Chelsea side that has won all their five home games this season.

 

We Are Ready For Berekum Chelsea Game – Coach Keni

We Will Build On This Momentum – Coach Keni

Accra Hearts of Oak Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said his side will press home their new found confidence after overcoming AshantiGold Sporting Club in their last Ghana Premier League (GPL) game.

The Phobians posted a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Miners at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi in their Match-Day Nine GPL encounter to maintain second spot on the log.

Te win also ensured that they remain the only side in the competition yet to lose an away game as and this Coach Keni said they will look to build on.

“Prior to this game, we had not recorded good results (not won in four in all competitions), and, we wanted to put out a statement by returning to the form that we started the season with,” Coach Keni said.

“This is an important win for us and we hope to build on this momentum for the remainder of this first round,” he added.

Hearts will next play bitter rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in their next GPL game on Monday, 2 May at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra in what will be the top-liner of the Match-Day 10 fixtures.

“We have another difficult opponent in our next game, and, we will prepare very well for them, hoping to win the three points at stake and move on with our campaign,” the Japanese-American stressed.

We Will Build On This Momentum – Coach Keni

I Have No Contact With Kotoko – Coach Keni

Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi of Accra Hearts of Oak has denied rumours gaining currency that he is flirting with bitter rivals Asante Kotoko and could be opened to a move to the Porcupines.

The Japanese-American is owned two months’ salary (February and March) plus other bonuses, and, his refusal to accept his pay when management of the club tried to pay him, fueled speculations about those rumours.

However, Coach Keni insists he is happy with the Phobians and only want the best with the technical staff and playing body he works with.

“I refuse to accept my pay because my assistants and players are owned salaries and bonuses and this is not acceptable to me as a coach,” he wrote on his facebook wall.

He insisted that he has had no contact whatsoever with the people at Asante Kotoko and pledged his loyalty to the capital club, saying that the $2,000 he receives a month, is not an issue in this situation.

“All I want is to see my players and assistants paid and after, I will take my salary, he wrote, adding that he wants to work with a happy family were trust and confidence exists.

Last week, the Management of the club made an attempt to pay the coach monies owned him, but he rejected those advances and made it clear that he will only take his salary and bonuses after his assistants and players have been paid first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Have No Contact With Kotoko – Coach Keni

Pay My Assistants, Players First – Coach Keni To Hearts

Accra Hearts of Oak Coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi has told the Club’s Board and Strategy Committee to pay his assistants and the players he works with first before he takes his share.

The club has not paid their Japanese-American trainer for two months (February and March) wih his backroom staff and players also not being paid during this period.

Sportscrusader.com sources also revealed that winning bonuses and other promises made to the players and technical team have also not been paid since the league started.

Last week, the Management of the club made an attempt to pay the coach monies owned him, but he rejected those advances and made it clear that he will only take his salary and bonuses after his assistants and players have been paid first.

Coach Keni has also debunked rumours that he is unhappy with his salary of $2,000 a month.

Writing on his facebook wall, he said he understands the situation in Ghana and is happy with the contract he signed with Accra Hearts of Oak and will respect it.

“All I want is to see my players and assistants paid and after, I will take my salary, he wrote, adding that he wants to work with a happy family were trust and confidence exists.

Coach Keni has led Hearts to a promising start to the season and are second on the Ghana Premier League log, three points behind leaders Wa All Stars after seven games.

Pay My Assistants, Players First – Coach Keni To Hearts

Wa All Stars will Not Buckle Under Pressure - Coach Adepa

Coach Enus Adepa insists his Wa All Stars side will not buckle under pressure as they chase a first ever silverware in Ghanaian football.

The northern club has opened a three-point lead at the top of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) after six games and is also unbeaten in the competition.

Last Sunday, All Stars, beat Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 to record their fourth home win of the campaign as they took their points tally to 17.

And Coach Adepa said their results this season have been measured as they prepared very well for the start of this campaign.

“Many have said our results have been misleading, but, we do not see it as such as we prepared very well ahead of the start of the competition,” he said.

“We had a good pre-season and I believe that it is the result of our hard work which is paying off,” Coach Adepa said after their win over Dwarfs.

He added: “We will manage the situation very well and take the games as they come, the so-called pressure will not affect us as we are well psyched up for the challenge ahead”.

All Stars will next play Bechem United in their next GPL game in Bechem were they will look to keep their lead at the top when the league resumes after this weekend’s MTN FA Cup games.

Wa All Stars will Not Buckle Under Pressure - Coach Adepa

Hearts Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi On Techiman City Game

Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi spoke with your authoritative paper, Hearts News, ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Techiman City in the Ghana Premier League.

Read a transcript of the interview he granted the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News:

On the team news:“Foovi came back yesterday and Soulama joined us a few days back so two players are available. For the injury concerns, nothing changes. Thomas Abbey is out; Yamoah is still out; Samudeen is still out; and we have Selasi also out, he had a minor injury but we took a precaution. He rested today, but it is nothing unusual so he should be available for our next training. Other than that we are healthy.

On the preparations for the Techiman City game:I think we had two sessions yesterday and today; It’s one of the best training sessions we have had so far. We are confident and we are prepared.

On whether the team has lost confidence:No, our confidence is not down at all because we lost one game. Let’s say if we play our best game and then we lost; then I think we will lose confidence. But it is not like we played our best game against AllStars and lost. We had problems but it was not physical problems or mental problems. We had other problems to fix and we fixed it and we are 100% and we are confident.

On the defensive problems from the last game:Well, we conceded three goals but that is something I would like to keep to myself. I am not going to reveal everything to the public. Our players know and we also know [the problem] and it does not exist anymore so we are confident.

On why it would be difficult against Techiman City:Techiman City is a good side; but I think nothing is different. Every team will give a big challenge against Accra Hearts of Oak and you know it’s a big name and everyone wants to win against Hearts of Oak so we have to be on our best game all the time.

On his perfect training methods that has got other teams worried:I think it is not insulting to me [that people are wrongly accusing my side of doping] but I told them that when I first had my breakfast as Kooko (porridge), I felt very energized and I told all the players to drink Kooko so if Kooko is a banned substance, they can all accuse me; but I think it is not.

I am just very sorry for people accusing me [and the team] but I think it is ignorance. Hard training and good programme [is our secret]. We are improving in every training session and so the players are improving in every day.

On what is helping the team to be physically strong:The Polar products are helping us a lot because we can analyze what happens to their heart and their bodies, but that is not the only thing. We observe the players because we have three coaches who are very experienced in coaching; and we put together to make progress.

On his message to the fans:Definitely, the fans should be in Techiman in their numbers. What happened last time was not good for both the fans and us the team. We are both responsible for making the mistakes; but players and coaches must correct their own mistakes. As well as the fans made their mistakes, but I understand that they were unhappy but let’s go back together and try to win the game.

 

 

Hearts Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi On Techiman City Game

Coach Adepa Is A Reason We Are Doing Well – Richard Arthur

Wa All Stars attacker Richard Arthur insists their coach Enus Adepa is one of the reasons the team is doing well in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season.

The northern club has made an amazing start to the season as they sit top of the GPL log with 14 points from the opening six games of the season and are also undefeated.

Arthur who has scored two goals this season, has lauded the influence of Coach Adepa for the superb season his side are enjoying in the GPL  and believes they could go on to do great things this season.

“The influence of Coach Adepa has been great on the squad this season and he is part of the many reasons why we are doing well in the league,” Arthur said.

He believes the tactical ingenuity of the gaffer is what has propelled the team to the top of the league and stressed that they will press on for the rest of the season.

Arthur played an instrumental role in helping All Stars end the unbeaten run of Accra Hearts of Oak with a 3-1 win at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday in their GPL encounter.

He would hope to keep his good form going when they take on Ebusua Dwarfs in their next GPL game on Sunday at the Wa Stadium where they have won all their three games.

Coach Adepa Is A Reason We Are Doing Well – Richard Arthur

We Expect Even Tougher Matches - Coach Keni

Accra Hearts of Oak Kenichi Yatsuhashi says the club expects a lot more tougher matches in all competitions this season and is bracing himself up for the challenge.

Coach Keni saw his side lose their unbeaten start to the season ended by Wa All Stars at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra last Sunday as they went down 1-3 to the northern club in the top-liner of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

“The competition is tough as all clubs come in prepared to fight for every point at stake, and, you have accept the challenge and press on,” Coach Keni said.

“I take the blame for the defeat to All Stars and congratulate the opponent for the win,” he said after the game adding that he expects Hearts of Oak to bounce back stronger.

“We will learn from this defeat and continue to work hard in training as there is no easy games around in this league, and, we expect even tougher matches,” the Japanese-American added.

Hearts of Oak faced some difficulties in last Sunday’s game, a situation that contributed to the team’s first defeat of the season in all competitions and Coach Keni is keen to address them.

“The performance on the day was not our best as we have played better this season and could have put in a lot more than what we produced,” he stressed.

 

We Expect Even Tougher Matches - Coach Keni

Future Of Dunga As Brazil Coach To Be Discussed

Senior leaders with power and influence in the Brazilian Football Federation (CSF) want to change coach Dunga and team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi.

The Brazilian FA have growing concerns over Dunga following the recent results of the team, and is even considering appointing a new coach for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this August.

Officially, the organization haven’t commented on the subject, Gilmar Rinaldi said that the “planning is maintained for the Copa América and the Olympic Games.”

However, according to Globo Esporte, changes are being discussed by the Football Federation, and there will be a series of meetings next week to discuss the future of the national team, with the first one scheduled for Tuesday.

Several CBF leaders will participate in this discussion, but the decision must pass through president Marco Polo Del Nero, who chose Dunga and Gilmar to lead the national team after the failure at the 2014 World Cup.

The standard of football being displayed under Dunga is considered worse than the team’s results.

As mentioned in the report, the selection of players by the coach are not questioned; for example, Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva, who has been constantly ignored by Dunga, has a very bad image among the leaders.

Still, some line-ups of the coach begins to generate critics and there is a view that Dunga is losing the confidence of his players.

According to the information from Brazilian journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho, everything indicates that Dunga will stay as Brazil’s head coach until the end of the Copa América Centenário.

But a source within the CBF has informed him that Dunga has his work analyzed, and the tournament in the United States may be his last test.

He adds that, chances of Dunga continuing after the Copa América are slim without the title, unless the football displayed is absolutely charming.

Credit: Sambafoot

Future Of Dunga As Brazil Coach To Be Discussed

Brazil Want New Coach For Olympic Games

The situation of Dunga as coach of the Brazilian national team is very uncomfortable.

Behind the scenes of the CBF, the criticism of Dunga’s work grew after the latest results of the national team.

According to the information from Globo Esporte, leaders with influence in decision making are already discussing the need to reduce the powers of both Dunga as well as team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi.

Dunga was supposed to be in charge of the side competing in the Olympic Games this August, but an idea that gains strength now is to appoint a new coach for the tournament in Rio de Janeiro.

For the leaders, Dunga can lead the side during the Copa América Centenário in June, but wants a new name to take charge for the Olympics.

It’s important to remember that the Olympic Gold medal is the only title missing from Brazil’s trophy cabinet, and is considered much more important than the competition in United States.

The interim coach would be an outsider, and not Rogério Micale, who led the U23 side in recent matches. Brazil drew with Paraguay on Tuesday for the World Cup qualifiers, and currently sits 6th in the standings.

The new plans of CBF highlights their concern over Dunga and Gilmar, and the performances in the Copa América Centenário can decide the coach’s future with the national side.

Credit: Sambafoot

Brazil Want New Coach For Olympic Games

Mahama Ayarigah"s Team Not Keen On Ghana Premier League

Experience trainer of Real Bawku United, Ibrahim Osman Polo has ruled out imminent qualification to the top flight league, despite the massive support enjoyed by the club.

The newly branded club has been given financial muscles by former Sports Minister and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Honorable Mahama Ayariga, but their trainer lowered expectations at the end of the season.

The CAF licensed A trainer joined the club at the start of the current campaign, but preferred to trade player development for promotion to the top flight given the chance to make a choice.

Speaking to sports crusader on the immediate plans for the Upper East based second tier side, the trainer identified player grooming as the immediate plans alongside safety at the end of the season.

“We are not bent on Premier league qualifications at the end of the season, although we will fight for it, if possible.

“This is a community based club and we are looking at giving it that community feel, with players from across the region and its environs getting the needed platforms.

“We are not ruling out top flight football but for now we want to give players and other football related people across Bawku and its environs a feel of professional football, even in the second tier league”, the ace trainer told sports crusader.

On the impact of the club owner to the smooth administration of the club, the confident speaking trainer remains optimistic of top flight football within three years.

“We are Working at our current rate as a club I can envisage Premier league football within the next three years.

“All we need is the support of the community and we can bring Premier league football to Bawku in three years time”, he concluded.

Real Bawku United have gathered four points from the opening three matches in the ongoing GN Bank Division one league.

Ibrahim Osman Polo is revered in northern Ghana for his contribution to football development including a crucial role in the qualifications of Wa All Stars to the Premier league in 2007.

Mahama Ayarigah"s Team Not Keen On Ghana Premier League

We Take Wassaman Game Serious: Coach Yatsuhashi

Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said there will be no different approach to their MTN FA Cup game against Wassaman United on Sunday as the second tier side are serious contenders.

The Phobians will welcome the GN Bank Division One side to the Accra Sports Stadium in a Round of 64 encounter in the knockout competition and will be huge favourites to win.

However, Coach Yatsuhashi has put aside that favourite insisting that they will be no different approach to this game as against what they have done the Premiership so far.

The Phobians have made a bright start in this season’s top-flight league in Ghana, and, sit top of the standing after five games with 13 points with an unbeaten record to boost.

But the Japanese-American said his charges will not take this game lightly and are preparing very well knowing what Cup games represent.

“Every game is important and so is this one,” he told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News ahead of this Sunday’s fixture.

“The fact that they are a lower tier side will not affect our preparations and we are focused on winning this game to advance to the next stage of the competition,” he said.

“They will come in looking to cause an upset as all small teams like to do in Cup games, we will therefore not take them lightly as they could surprise us,” he added.

The Coach is hoping to guide Accra Hearts of Oak to success this season and that includes winning the FA Cup as well, a competition they have not won since 2000.

We Take Wassaman Game Serious: Coach Yatsuhashi

Osei Seeking Another Victory For Kotoko

Assistant trainer for Kumasi Asante Kotoko Micheal Osei has expressed his satisfaction after Kotoko’s slim 1-0 over Sekondi Hasaacas, saying they will improve upon that.

The confident assistant coach for the struggling reds admitted to the difficulty he and his charges underwent after a run of four matches without a win on the local terrain.

The record Ghana Premier League champions endured a dreadful start to the season to incur the wrath of the ever demanding fans across the nation.

Osei, who has worked under different head coaches at Kotoko, did not mince words in expressing the enormous nature of the first victory for his side.

The ambitious trainer however aportioned a chunk of the blame to their lengthy injury list as well, though he believe they could have done better.

“We have been waiting for this victory for so long a time. It was a difficult time for both the players and my coaching career as well.

“Our injuries also kept us back and this can be seen in the few players that returned to the side. We still have the potential to do well as all we need is to develop that mental toughness and extra hardwork. I believe things will even get better”, Micheal Osei told sports crusader.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko endured its worst start to the season in almost 50 years with one win in the opening five matches.

The Reds edged out Sekondi Hasaacas at the Baba Yara sports stadium to record their first three points of the season at the fifth time of asking.

Osei Seeking Another Victory For Kotoko

Our Fans Can Carry Us Through – Coach Yatsuhashi

Accra Hearts of Oak Coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi believes the support of the club’s fans would be crucial towards them, having a successful campaign this season.

The Phobians have made a promising start to this season’s premiership campaign, and, sit top of the standing with 13 points from their opening five games.

They are one of three clubs yet to lose a game this season and are gunning for their first league title in eight seasons.

And Coach Yatsuhashi believes the fans can carry them all the way through as they chase their first league title since the 2008/09 season.

He has credited the fans for the progress the club has made so far this season and has urged them to carry on with this support ahead of some important matches.

Last Sunday, Hearts of Oak came from two goals down to beat Inter Allies 3-2 at the Tema Sports Stadium in their game.

The Japanese-American stated that this victory could not have been made possible without the influence of the supporters who stood with the team even when the going was tough.

“I like to thank the fans for coming in their numbers to cheer the team to victory in this all important match as we needed the three points badly to keep on track with our agenda for this season,” Coach Keni said after the game.

“We will need more of their support throughout the season and I believe with our combined efforts, we will be successful at the end of the campaign,” he added.

Our Fans Can Carry Us Through – Coach Yatsuhashi

My Job Is Always On The Line – Coach Yatsuhashi

Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said like all coaches, his job is always on the line and can be fired at any time.

The Japanese-American has made a promising start with the Phobians, leading them to the top of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) and remain unbeaten after four games.

However, he told Sportscrusader.com that, this early success is not a guarantee of his safety on the job and that he could be fired at any time by chieftains of the capital club.

“Yes the results have been good, yes we have made a promising start to the season, but, there is still a lot of ground to cover and we are working on this every day at training,” he said on Thursday.

Coach Yatsuhashi believes he could be fired at any time if there is no consistency in results, but, this he is hoping to avoid as the season rolls on.

He will lead his charges to Tema on Sunday to play Inter Allies in a Match-Day-Five fixture of the GPL hoping to keep their unbeaten run going as they chase a first championship in eight seasons.

The Japanese-American came under serious criticism after being appointed coach of the Phoabians for his lack of experience at the highest level.

Results in pre-season were not impressive, leading many to call for his sack, but, he has made a promising start to the season with Hearts of Oak and could be the man to restore hope to a club that struggled for most parts of last season as the finished the campaign in 13^th position in the 16-club Ghanaian Premiership.

 

 

 

My Job Is Always On The Line – Coach Yatsuhashi

Inter Allies Will Be Difficult But, We Will Be Ready – Coach Yatsuhashi

Accra Hearts of Oak helmsman, Kenichi Yatsuhashi expects a difficult game at Tema when they play Inter Allies in a Match-Day Five fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) on Sunday.

However, the gaffer said his charges will be ready for that encounter as they seek a win that would ensure that they retain their leadership of the GPL table.

Hearts are unbeaten in their opening four games of this campaign and visit the Tema Stadium on Sunday to play one of the most formidable sides at home in the Ghanaian top-flight.

“We know this will be a difficult assignment, but, this is to be expected as there are no easy games at this level of competition, he said ahead of Sunday’s game.

He added: “We played them in pre-season and, it was not an easy one as the game ended 1-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium, we therefore expect them to be even tougher at home”.

The Japanese-American however insists that by game time, they will be ready for the action and expects his charges to live up to the billing.

“We are taking the games as they come and Sunday is another opportunity for us to showcase what we have been doing, and, we hope we do not disappoint our fans”.

Inter Allies Will Be Difficult But, We Will Be Ready – Coach Yatsuhashi

Coach Aristica Asks Aduana Stars Fans To Support Team

Aduana Stars coach, Coiaba Aristica has called for support for the be-leagued Ghana Premier League (GPL) club after their poor start to the season.

The Dormaa based club has won just one of their opening four games of the season and sit in 13^th position with three points which is not a good return on their pre-season promise.

Club chieftains reappointed the Romanian to take over the technical realms of the club after Nurudeen Ahmed stepped down from his role following defeats in their opening two GPL games.

And the tactician said he is eager to turn things around for the club, but, will need the support of the fans in doing this.

He asked that they come out in their numbers to cheer the boys on especially in their home games as this will spur them on to go for the win.

Coach Aristica guided Aduana Stars to post their first win of the season against WAFA at the Nana Agyemang Badu II Park last Sunday and was happy with the turnout.

“I like to thank the fans for coming in their numbers to support the team, and, we will need for of this support in subsequent home games to build up our confidence,” he said after the game.

Aduana Stars will next play defending GPL champions AshantiGold SC at Obuasi on Saturday, and, will look to build on their first win of the campaign.

Coach Aristica Asks Aduana Stars Fans To Support Team

Hearts Success Is Down To Kenichi - Dong Bortey

Accra Hearts of Oak legend, Bernard ‘Dong’ Bortey has revealed his former club’s success in the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) is down to the competence of head coach, Kenichi Yatshuashi.

Hearts has started the season surprisingly well to the astonishment of many bookmakers and even the supporters of the club.

The Phobians have accrued 10-points from a possible 12 after 4-matches and are yet to record a defeat this season but lost their defensive shield after conceding their first goal last weekend.

Bortey a club icon and CAF Confederation Cup winner has admitted his old sides performance under Coach Kenichi so far gives a fresh breathe of air, and, thus tip the 20-times Ghana champions to win the 2015/16 season crown.

Speaking in an interview with Kumasi based Boss FM, the former International said, “Hearts has not won the league for eight years now and the last three seasons has been a difficult one for the Phobians but they are currently in a better position to win the trophy.”

“The players are in good condition, playing fast and delightful football and based on this trust I can boldly declare Hearts will win the league title this season,” he added.

Hearts Success Is Down To Kenichi - Dong Bortey

Arhinful feels vindicated with backing of Coach Yatsuhashi

Former Ghana international, Augustine Arhinful said his call for patience for current Hearts of Oak coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has is being vindicated by the results the team has posted so far in the ongoing Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The Japanese-American came in for a lot of flank when he was appointed in December last year for his lack of experience at the top level and when things did not initially go according to plan.

However, in defence of the youth developer, Arhinful said then that, the coach needed to be given time to implement his plans and turn things around for the Phobians as he had great vision.

With four games played in the GPL, Arhinful feels vindicated as Hearts of Oak are unbeaten and sit top of the table, two points clear off their nearest team.

The former Ghana international who is a youth development coach himself, praised the effort of Coach Yatsuhashi in not letting those early criticisms affect his line of work.

He told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News that he had faith in the coaching methods of Coach Yatsuhashi when he watched a few of Hearts’ games and trusted that he would do well if given much more time.

“I feel vindicated for sticking my neck out for the coach when most Ghanaians and even Hearts fans turned against him when the season had not even started. Now, you are seeing the fruits of his hard work, and, I can tell you that when you give him enough time, he will do great things here,” Arhinful said.

Arhinful feels vindicated with backing of Coach Yatsuhashi